Costa Mesa, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Costa Mesa, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 14% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 337 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. Costa Mesa has lower crime than 44% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Costa Mesa has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 88% of the city's 17 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Lower Bird Streets is one of the safest areas, while John Wayne Airport has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Costa Mesa is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Costa Mesa are Lower Bird Streets, The State Streets, Balearic Park, The Island Streets, and College Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Costa Mesa include John Wayne Airport, Costa Mesa Business Park, Orange County Fairgrounds / Orange Coast College, Upper Bird Streets, and Bristol / Paularino. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Costa Mesa is 297.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 337 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.7 per 100K (5% below average); aggravated assault at 209.8 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 61.1 per 100K (17% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Costa Mesa is 1,856.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 192.8 per 100K (29% below average); larceny/theft at 1,381.1 per 100K (1% below average); vehicle theft at 282.9 per 100K (11% below average).

Costa Mesa's overall crime rate is 14% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (1% below average), while rape is 36% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Costa Mesa has lower crime than 44% of them.

Visitors to Costa Mesa should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Lower Bird Streets, The State Streets, Balearic Park.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Costa Mesa's crime rate is 14% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Costa Mesa, with an estimated rate of 1,381.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,857 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (297 per 100K) in Costa Mesa, which is consistent with national trends.